Builder assaulted to death on way to temple in Virar near Mumbai

Thirty-one-year-old Nishant Kadam from Phoolpada was on his way to the Shiv temple near the Papadkhind dam at around 3am when he was fatally attacked. The killers escaped in the dark

A Virar builder was assaulted with iron rods to death by unknown assailants early on Monday morning. Thirty-one-year-old Nishant Kadam from Phoolpada was on his way to the Shiv temple near the Papadkhind dam at around 3am when he was fatally attacked. The killers escaped in the dark.

Representational Image. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Kadam would visit the temple every Monday to offer prayers during the auspicious month of Shravan, this Monday being the last one. Despite all religious places being closed due to Covid-19, a few Shiv temples would open the gates in the early hours for Shravan month till 7am for devotees.

Senior inspector Suresh Warade of Virar police, said, “The assailants were hiding behind a tree and assaulted him with iron rods several times, killing him on the spot. They then fled the spot. We have registered a case of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and against unknown persons and checking the CCTV footage from the vicinity.”

The police are also awaiting the post-mortem report. Preliminary reports say business rivalry could be the motive but the Virar police are probing all angles and are to question the family about Kadam’s weekly visits to the temple.